She has been a keen crafter since her childhood, although she an Art graduate, but her crafting talent comes from her mother.
She creates these wonderful cotton monsters from recycled materials and is in love with her cats. She performs puppet shows for kids and teaches them to create their own shows too. She dreams to start her own circus and wishes to travel the world.
Jennifer Strunge, founder of Cotton Monsters was kind enough to take the time to answer some of our questions, read further to learn about the supergirl behind these truly unique and adorable monsters.
1. To begin with, tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD where I still live today. Though I like to think I'm pretty responsible and level-headed, I also pride myself on still being a big kid. I take joy in little things and aim to be happy in doing all that I set out to do! I graduated from the Maryland Institute College of art in 2004 and have been making and selling creatures as part of my Cotton Monster line ever since. I work at a puppet theater where I help perform marionette shows for kids and every so often work with a team of friends on absurd puppet productions for an adult audience! I also teach residencies at schools, helping kids create puppet shows of their own!
2. You've been a crafter since childhood, what has been your most memorable creation as a child?
I created pretty constantly throughout my childhood...so that's a hard question! My mom used to take me to a place where you could buy refuse factory bits, weird rubber stoppers, shiny paper scraps, etc. by the pound. One summer my friend and I made probably two dozen clothespin dolls and using the scrap stuff and cardboard boxes made an entire village for them, complete with shops, houses, cars, and even elevators! Also, my mom is a quilter and she taught me to sew pretty early on, so I there were lots of doll, pillow and quilt projects that we worked on together!
3. What is the story behind Cotton Monsters?
I began making quilts with 3-d eyeball-like forms as well as large scale puppet/interactive sculpture monsters 2003 while at The Maryland Institute college of art. The pieces were meant to protect the dreamer who slept under the quilts or in the company of the creatures. After graduation I continued making monsters from recycled materials (cotton sheets mostly), scaling them down in size so that I could give and sell them to people who seemed really excited about them. I came up with the name Cotton Monster, took some around to local shops and began selling them in a store in Baltimore.
From there I made a website and started making them available online as well as selling at craft shows. Now I use more varied types of recycled clothing/bedding (lots of polyester-blends...not just cotton) to make the Cotton Monsters...but the name just stuck! I've mailed off monsters all over the entire US and to countries as far away as Singapore, Ireland, and New Zealand!
4. How has your graduation from Maryland Institute College of Art helped you in shaping your career?
The greatest part about being in school is that you are always making, thinking, re-thinking, discussing and working amongst like-minded, excited people. Graduating from the Institute definitely gave me confidence in my work and kept me inspired to keep on making. I also met a ton of amazing people, friends and professors alike, who have been instrumental in keeping me connected with the art (and craft) world.
5. How do you come with new creations, what inspires you the most?
I create using a lot of trial and error. I doodle, but for the most part when I create a new monster, I am just trying out different cuts, sewing different angles, and re-doing what doesn't work the first time. I am truly inspired by the materials I use, mostly recycled clothing, bedding, and fabric remnants. It's a challenge, but I find the process fulfilling. I have a limited amount of each textile and each one has it's own feel, stretch and size limitations. I aim to get as much use out of the fabric as possible, and so the process of recycling as well as working intuitively, instead of from patterns, definitely impacts the end result...making a one-of-a-kind creature!
6. How do you promote your cute monsters, which has been the most productive marketing channel for your business?
I promote my work through my website, as well as social networking/sharing sites: blogger, flickr, facebook, and twitter. I have a fairly large email list that I send store/show updates to, from time to time. I also do interviews on other peoples blogs (like this one!) and sell at a few other shops that sell online as well as in brick & mortar stores. I also continue to apply for and participate in indie-craft fairs. The web is so huge and some people have a much better connection with my work by seeing it in person. Even if I don't sell a ton at a show, I'm giving out business cards, talking with new potential customers and hoping they'll visit my website later!
7. Other than creating wonderful crafts, what other interests do you have? Also, could you share your favorite books, music, movies and websites with us?
I am madly in love with cats, especially my two fat kitties Fleur and Dinah. I'm a vegetarian (and have been for 15 years or so) and love too cook and eat! I also love thrift shopping and collecting things that are older then me! I aim to throw away as little as possible, recycling or finding new homes for used things whenever I can. And a few of my favorite...
Books: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Haruki Murakami
and The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Movies: The Third Man, The 5000 fingers of Dr. T, The Darjeeling Limited
Music: David Bowie, Talking Heads, Celebration, Beach House, Lower Dens
Websites: AwkwardFamilyPhotos, indiefixx, Frecklewonder.
8. What advice would you give to budding crafters who wish to launch their business online?
I'd say: take excellent photos, details, as well as shots of your pieces from different angles or in real life set-ups. Since your customer can't feel, hold or try on your product, its up to you to give them as much info as you can to make them comfortable buying online. Also, make sure you are being original, true to yourself, and are happy doing it...otherwise, its not really worth all the effort!
Thank you Jennifer for sparing the time for us and our readers, we wish you all the success in the future. :)
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